best bwca day trips

Best Day Trips in the BWCAW

By Bryan Hansel

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is primarily used by canoeists taking a canoe camping trip, but that isn’t the only way to experience this gem of the north. Day trips by canoe, kayak or foot can bring you to beautiful locations without the worry of having to set up camp each night. Ely, Tofte and the Gunflint Trail have a different feel, so if you really want to experience the Boundary Waters, you should plan to try each of these day trips.

Gunflint Trail

Johnson Falls via East Bearskin: Start this trip at the East Bearskin entry point about 26 miles up the Gunflint from Grand Marais. This part of the Boundary Waters feels different from the rest, because east-west hills separate the lakes. Paddling here feels like paddling through mountainous terrain. From East Bearskin canoe to Little Alder, Alder and Canoe Lake. Portages, where you carry your canoe and gear from one lake to the next, separate the lakes. At Canoe Lake, find the portage to Pine Lake, which also takes you to Johnson Falls, one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the BWCAW.

Magnetic Rock: Follow the Gunflint Trail north from Grand Marais for 47 miles to the Magnetic Rock parking lot. The hiking trails winds its way 1.5 miles through an area burned by the 2007 Ham Lake fire to Magnetic Rock, a rock that looks like the obelisk from the movie 2001. Along the way, take in views of granite-filled valleys in an area that usually is covered in a dense mass of Boreal forest. Bring a magnet and compass to amuse yourself. Your magnet will stick to the rock, and your compass needle will point towards it.

Brule Lake: Stretching eight miles from end to end, the Brule is one of the largest lakes in the BWCAW. Because it’s so large, it’s best to use sea kayaks which can handle the big waves that the prevailing strong afternoon winds generate. The extra speed of sea kayaks also allows you to reach the portage to Cam Lake in a casual day. Cam Lake at the northwestern corner of the lake looks like a meteor crater. At the portage, hike to the lake, eat lunch and then hike back to your kayaks and paddle back to the entry point.

Kelso River Loop: The Kelso River Loop, also known locally as the voyage to the Viking dolman, starts on Sawbill Lake at the end of the Sawbill Trail. Paddle from Sawbill Lake to the Kelso River and Kelso Lake. At Kelso Lake, search the eastern shore to find the Viking dolman, a kitchen-table-sized rock balanced on three small stones. Some local guides claim Vikings carved runes into the stone. After finding the dolman, canoe to Alton Lake and then portage back into Sawbill.

Hegman Pictographs: Follow the Echo Trail north to the parking lot for South Hegman Lake. Hike the 80-rod portage from the parking lot to the lake and then canoe north and portage into North Hegman. Follow the western shore past an island. The bright red pictographs are on a granite cliff near the point where the lake turns into a bottle neck. The most distinct paintings look like a moose, lynx and a human. Don’t touch the paintings, as oil from your skin could cause them to deteriorate.

Lake One: Lake One makes for an easy day of exploration. Launch your canoe from the entry point at the end of Fernberg Road, poke around Lake One’s many bays, and paddle past headlands. The center of the lake is dotted with islands to explore, and the campsites make great places to stop for lunch. There’s great fishing and wildlife viewing all around, especially in the bays. If you’re feeling motivated, you can portage and explore Lakes Two through Four.

You need a permit to do any trip into the BWCAW. Luckily for day trippers, you only need to register your trip on a self-issuing permit. Look for a permit box at the parking lot, fill out the permit, leave the government’s side in the box and take your half with you.

Bryan Hansel is a photographer, writer and sea kayaking instructor. He owns North Shore Expeditions, a kayak guiding company that guides trips in the BWCAW and on Lake Superior. His website is www.bryanhansel.com .

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Tips On BWCA Canoe Trip Routes

Your trip through the wilderness will only be as good — or as bad — as the route you travel. There is no one route that is best, and there is no one entry point that is best. BWCA Routes can change a great deal over the course of a summer.

Considerations in picking a route

• Your personal preferences on the number of times you would like to change campsites play a major consideration. A party wanting to be out for five days and have four campsites would obviously travel farther than one want to be out seven days, but only want two campsites.
• From mid-May thru early June, some portages may be muddy.
• In August, some of the smaller rivers drop to a point where whole sections might have to be walked because there isn’t enough water to float a loaded canoe.
• Some lakes have different kinds of fish than others.
• The bug situation of June and July varies from one section to another.
• Forest fires are a natural part of the wilderness ecosystem. However, it takes a season or two for an area to start to green-up after a fire. Blackened areas might want to be avoided.
• Some areas may have bans on open fires . North Country provides stoves with our complete outfitting, so cooking would not be impacted. But as for the evening campfire … the answer would be NO. If having an evening campfire is important to your party, picking another area would probably be wise.

We know what those differences are, and are prepared to offer our suggestions so your trip can match your expectations .

The ability level of your party as a whole must be considered. If your participants have had a lot of time in canoes prior to arriving in Ely, they will travel farther each day than a group who has only had canoe experience in their city park. How well does everyone work together? Can meals be cooked in 15-20 minutes, or is it an all evening chore?

Obviously, a group that has only five days to spend in the woods will not have the same route as one having 7-10 days. We want to know how many campsites you will want to be in. On a 6 day/5 night trip you can have as many as five different sites, or you may choose travel every other day using 3 sites, or even set up a base camp and take day-trips from your one location.

Remember, every time you take down and set up another campsite, you are pulling about three hours of your day that you could have been doing something else. Also, on day trips you can travel farther and faster since you are not taking equipment across the portages.

Long-time NCCO Customers Scott & Nicole Sims talk about their experience:

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Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Paddle million-acre wilderness.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is America’s premier canoe destination. It is also one of the most accessible wilderness areas in the United States, and where Wilderness Inquiry began operating in the 1970s. Over one million acres in size, the Boundary Waters covers much of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. Paddle among towering pines in the home of moose, lynx, wolves, and bald eagles.

Every Wilderness Inquiry trip ensures your adventure is the best it can be. Decades of experience in combination with top notch food and gear make Wilderness Inquiry BWCA trips an exceptional value. Our classic 5-day Boundary Waters Canoe Area Paddle Adventure is the quintessential guided canoe trip . Paddle lightweight Wenonah kevlar canoes and camp in beautiful lakeside campsites. The Boundary Waters lodge based adventure is based out of stunning Wintergreen Lodge on White Iron Lake. From here, you’ll enjoy excellent BWCA day trips off the Kawishiwi River or the Fernberg Trail, returning to delicious meals, a glass of wine, and a comfortable bed at night. The Boundary Waters Family Canoe and Hike trip is geared for families and based at a Forest Service campsite, allowing us to do day trips in smaller groups into the Wilderness. Our Boundary Waters Winter Adventure  changes it up for winter fun at Camp Menogyn on West Bearskin Lake. You will love dogsledding, skiing, and seeing the Wilderness dressed in its winter clothes.

Whatever Boundary Waters trip you choose, we know you will enjoy this iconic wilderness area and come to understand why it is beloved by so many.

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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Paddle Adventure

Boundary Waters Base Camp Adventure

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Expedition

Boundary Waters Lodge-Based Adventure

Boundary Waters Family Canoe and Hike

Boundary Waters Lodge-Based Reader’s Retreat with William Kent Krueger

Boundary Waters Winter Adventure

Boundary Waters Base Camp: Potlikker and Smoke with Chef Lachelle

About the area.

In 1964, Congress designated the BWCA as one of the first federally protected wilderness areas in the United States as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The BWCA, the northern third of Superior National Forest, lies on the international border between northern Minnesota and the Province of Ontario, Canada. Together, with the adjoining 1.2 million-acre Quetico Provincial Park on the Ontario side of the border, this international wilderness complex forms an unparalleled lakeland complex of 2.3 million acres, an area larger than Yellowstone.

Sculpted by glaciation, the area is part of the Canadian Shield, a geological formation that comprises portions of the earth’s most ancient exposed rock, some of which is 3 billion years old! The Boundary Waters contains about 1,175 lakes in all, creating a maze of interconnected wilderness waterways to explore. Whether you paddle one of the larger border lakes – Saganaga, Knife, Basswood, Crooked, Lac La Croix – or one of the smaller more intimate lakes, you’ll experience an undeveloped wilderness that appears much the same as it has for hundreds of years. Each lake brings its own distinct personality and you may find you and your canoeing partners each have a different favorite.

Two types of forests, the Boreal and Laurentian forests, converge to create a unique ecosystem with diverse plant and animal life in the Boundary Waters. Animals that would not normally be seen together, such as the white-tailed deer and the moose, have made the BWCA their homes. Many birds, such as bald eagles & loons, and over 20 species of wood warblers, use the Boundary Waters as their nesting grounds. Anglers can test their skills against the area’s lake trout, walleye, northern pike, or small and largemouth bass.

Humans have left their mark on the Boundary Waters as well. Native peoples inhabited the Boundary Waters area for thousands of years, with some human relics dating back to 10,000 BC. The Anishinabe (sometimes called Ojibwe, or Chippewa) and Dakota (Sioux) used the intricate waterways of the BWCA for hundreds of years. Native peoples first used many of the campsites and portages (paths between lakes) still used today. Artifacts from that period can still be found on occasion. European fur traders and missionaries first came into the area in the early 1700s. A working relationship developed between the European fur traders and the Ojibwe, based on trade of European goods for native knowledge and furs. This partnership ended in the mid 19th century due to the declining interest in furs as fashion.

Fur trading and logging of the Boundary Waters began taking its toll on the fragile ecosystem. People decided to act, setting aside this pristine area and working to protect it from further harm. In 1909, President Teddy Roosevelt established the Superior National Forest, with 1,000 square miles of roadless land (the precursor to the BWCA) later set aside in 1926 as the nation’s second administratively-established wilderness. The 1964 Wilderness Act designated the Boundary Waters as an original unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System, but with some compromises that allowed logging and motorboats to continue there. Congress passed additional protections for the BWCA in 1978, and expanded the area to its current borders and size of 1.1 million acres. The controversy surrounding this Congressional effort for the Boundary Waters also led to the establishment of Wilderness Inquiry; WI began by taking canoe trips in the BWCA and continues doing so to this day.

The Boundary Waters is one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s “50 Places of a Lifetime.” Situated within Superior National Forest  in northeastern Minnesota, the  Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a vast preserve of lakes and woods that stretches for about 100 miles along the U.S. border with Canada. Spread within the Boundary Waters are over 1,500 miles of canoe routes over more than 1,000 lakes, rivers and streams linked by trails called “portages.”

Due to strict permitting and non-motorized status the wilderness is yours to explore without people or vehicles. These factors contribute to the serenity of the area creating the perfect location for canoeing.

Camping for families

The wilderness is and ideal setting for families. Without the noise of daily life expect to learn more about yourselves and each other. The Boundary Waters Family Canoe and Hike trip is geared for families and based at a Forest Service campsite, allowing us to do day trips in smaller groups into the Wilderness.

Adventurers 

Our classic 5-day Boundary Waters Canoe Area Paddle Adventure is the quintessential guided canoe trip for adventurers of all ability levels. Our experienced guides will teach you basic paddle strokes, the art of portaging a canoe, and can help you find a new appreciation for the great Northwoods.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area BWCA info, wildlife, trip routes, photos...

Canoe Trip Outfitting all our packages, rates, menu...

Non-Profit Groups discount packages for scouts, churches, schools, clubs, High Adventure Scout Trips , and more...

Boundary Waters Fishing trips, tips, tackle & more...

Guided Trips the best way to go...

Quetico Trips information on trips into Canada...

About Us who we are, directions to our base...

Contact Us talk to our outfitting staff

For More Information Call: 218-365-3466

Good to Know... It is important to note that BWCA entry permits are reserved on a first come, first serve basis so the earlier you reserve your trip the better chance you have of securing the best entry point.

The following are not just routes in the Boundary Waters but descriptions of different areas within the canoe country. Each route may have several different entry and exit point possibilities. If you choose one of these routes we will customize it to fit your parties needs for a memorable Northwoods vacation. You will note after each description is the number of days needed to fulfill the shortest possible route and the level of difficulty to complete the trip, ranging from: Easy - Moderate - Challenging - Rugged

Trip Planning note: When planning a route into the wilderness you must first know how many days you want to travel versus layover. An example would be a 7-day trip with 5 travel days and 2 layover days. You will also need to decide what you want to do...this can be fishing, site-seeing, swimming, photography, adventure travel (lots of miles), or just RELAXATION.

If you are using our How to Plan a Trip tutorial...

You are on Step 3 - Planning your route

The routes outlined above give you descriptions of different areas within the Boundary Waters. When setting up a trip we customize every route to each groups individual wants and needs. To have a customized trip routed out for your group give us a call at 218-365-3466  or  800-777-8574.

To go to Step 4 click here >>

Call Today and set up a trip!  1-218-365-3466 We will walk you through the whole trip planning process - make route suggestions, gear suggestions and even secure all your permits for you. We will map your route, pack your equipment, pack your food and give you a complete trip orientation upon your arrival. Don't wait, Call today and let your Boundary Waters Vacation begin!

BWCA Information:

▫ Boundary Waters Information ▫ How to plan a trip ▫ BWCA permits & entry points ▫ BWCA canoe routes ▫ Boundary Waters fishing ▫ Area wildlife ▫ Boundary Waters photos ▫ BWCA rules & regulations

Outfitting Packages:

▫ Canoe Trip Outfitting ▫ Outfitting Specials ▫ Explorer Kevlar Package ▫ Ultra-Light Canoe Package ▫ Non-Profit Groups ▫ Fishing Trips ▫ Family Packages ▫ Guided Trips ▫ Food & Canoe Packages ▫ Partial Outfitting

Additional:

▫ Menu - food for your trip ▫ Overnight Accommodations ▫ Transportation ▫ Reservations & Deposits ▫ BWCA Permits & Fees ▫ Entry Points & Trip Routes ▫ What to Pack

Quetico Trips:

▫ Quetico Trip information ▫ RABC Permit Information

Boundary Waters Outfitters Online Catalog

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Boundary Waters Canoe Trips

How to Plan a Trip Step 1: What to see and do Step 2: When are you going Step 3: Plan your route Step 4: Reserve entry permit Step 5: Outfitting Needs Step 6: Transportation Step 7: Accommodations Step 8: Final Touches Just follow the moose...

web pages: Boundary Waters Outfitters in Ely Minnesota home page ▫ About Us ▫ Contact Us ▫ Boundary Waters Canoe Area ▫ How to plan a Trip ▫ BWCA Entry Permits ▫ Boundary Waters Canoe Routes ▫ Fishing ▫ Wildlife ▫ Photo Gallery ▫ BWCA Rules Canoe Trip Outfitting ▫ Outfitting Specials ▫ Kevlar Explorer Package ▫ Ultra-Light Canoe Package ▫ Partial Outfitting ▫ Non-Profit Group Packages ▫ Family Canoe Trips ▫ Fishing Trips ▫ Guided Trips Trip Menu ▫ Overnight Accommodations ▫  Transportation ▫  Reservations & Deposits Quetico Trips ▫ RABC Information ▫ Links

A word from Boundary Waters Outfitters

Thank you for visiting our website. We at Boundary Waters Outfitters are dedicated to our mission and to providing quality Minnesota Vacations to all who visit us here in the Northwoods. It is our pleasure to serve you in anyway we can, whether it is planning a BWCA canoe trip, arranging a stay in one of the lakeside cabins at our full-service resort or helping you purchase just the right piece of gear for your next adventure. Ely Minnesota and the Northwoods is our home and we are eager to share it with anyone who has the desire to experience all it has to offer. With so much to see and do...from fishing, to exploring, to sunsets, the wildlife, to all the little canoeing and camping tips we have picked up over the years, we are here to help you make the most of your Boundary Waters vacation. Thanks again for visiting our website and please let us know how we can help you with your Boundary Waters needs. sincerely, -Boundary Waters Outfitters owners and staff.

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Rose Lake - A BWCA Day Trip

Rose Lake – A BWCA Day Trip is a popular way to experience the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness without having to plan an extended or overnight excursion. Exploring the North Shore Podcast did this very trip in 2019.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

The BWCA is a protected wilderness area. It is free of motorized vehicles and full of incredibly peaceful sights and sounds that are hard to find anywhere else these days. 

Encompassing over a million acres, the BWCA runs through parts of Lake and Cook County, Minnesota. The Gunflint Trail, which runs from Grand Marais to Seagull Lake, is surrounded on both sides by the BWCA once you hit the mid-trail area. The BWCA runs as far west as Ely and beyond. It is bordered by Voyageurs National Park near International Falls and Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario.

The BWCA has been a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It is only accessible by non-motorized mean. Primarily, canoeing and hiking. This makes the area ideal for a peaceful getaway where you can be surrounded by nature.

Our Journey to Rose Lake

On a warm day at the end of July, we stopped in at Hungry Jack Outfitters to start our journey. We needed to rent a canoe, some lifejackets, and paddles to start off our Rose Lake – A BWCA Day Trip adventure.  Rose Lake is one of the most popular, and scenic, lakes in the BWCA.  Personally, this was my first trek into the BWCA as an adult and my first time visiting Rose Lake.

Hungry Jack Lake to Bearskin Lake to Duncan Lake

Our journey Rose Lake – A BWCA Day Trip started right from the dock of Hungry Jack Outfitters. We were able to drop our canoe right into Hungry Jack Lake and start the hour and half long journey to Rose Lake.  It was a warm summer day, temps in the mid 70s and nothing but a light breeze to help keep us cool but make for easy paddling across crystal clear waters.  

A quick paddle across Hungry Jack Lake led us to the first of three portages we would take that day.  From Hungry Jack Lake to Bearskin Lake brought us right to the Duncan Lake portage. At that point, where we were officially in the BWAC.

Duncan Lake to Rose Lake

Once on Duncan Lake we paddled roughly 25 minutes, the longest trek on a lake throughout the entire journey. Finally, we tucked into a shallow inlet on the northern tip of Duncan Lake. 

We pulled our canoe alongside that of about half a dozen other canoes taking their rest along the shores of Duncan Lake.  The occupants of these canoes were exploring the portage between Duncan Lake and Rose Lake.  It is, indeed, a very popular area!

The Portage to Rose Lake

It’s a short hike from Duncan Lake’s shoreline to the famous Stairway Portage to Rose Lake. The stairway portage is actually two wooden stairways that sandwich the incredibly beautiful Rose Falls.  I’m told that while Rose Falls is beautiful in the summer, the Frozen Falls are a must-see in winter. This Makes Rose Lake – A BWCA Day Trip worth a trip in the winter, as well.  Replace your canoe with some cross-country skis and you can follow the same path from December until April.

After soaking in the falls for a few moments we descend the larger Stairway Portage. Another quick hike later and we are at the shores of Rose Lake.

It is in fact true, the views of Rose Lake are stunning.  The lake itself is located half in the US and half in Canada. We stood on the US side looking at the Arrow Cliffs on the Canadian side.  The Arrow Cliffs are steep, dramatic cliffs that flow one after another, are a sight to see by themselves. Add in the crisp, blue waters of Rose Lake and you have an image that will stick with you for a lifetime.

How the lake got its name has proven to be harder to determine than I thought it would. I had heard that the lake is named after a person, not a flower, but one source suggests it was a mispronunciation of the French name for the lake: Lac Roseau.  However, aside from that one reference, I have yet to find any other suggestions as to how the lake got its name. So whether it be the name of a woman, last name of an early settler, or a misinterpretation of a French name, the lake is as beautiful as the flower.  It fits. And makes Rose Lake – A BWCA Day Trip fun, easy, and will provide you with views to remember.

History of Rose Lake

Rose Lake itself is contained entirely within the BWCA. However, prior to the establishment of the wilderness area, it was actually the terminus of the Alger Smith railroad. The railroad was used by logging companies until the Great Depression. That essentially ended logging operations in this remote part of Minnesota for the better part of a decade.

By 1938, Rose Lake was included in the Superior Roadless Primitive Area (later renamed to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area). That limited motor use and logging.  There were a few clauses that allowed logging and motor use, but in 1978 Congress enacted the BWCA Wilderness Act. That officially ending all motorized access and logging in the designated BWCA area. 

Visitors today will not encounter even as much as a plane flying overhead as flight restrictions also surround the area (barring a true emergency, of course).  At Rose Lake, you are greeted with the sounds of the water lapping the shoreline. Birds can be heard chirping in the trees. And, on the day we visited, the laughter of a group of kids swimming just out of our sight range.

Enjoy the Peace and Quiet on Your Rose Lake – A BWCA Day Trip

We spent some time on the shore of Rose Lake- enjoying the scenery and grabbing a bite to eat before making the return trip to Hungry Jack Outfitters. An entire day could easily be spent hiking and exploring the area around Rose Lake.  I’m told the views from the overlooks are as incredible as the views from the shoreline.  But, alas, time was not on our side as we had gotten a later start than one would normally get if heading into the BWCA for the day.  We needed to get back and get home before it got too dark, so, we set out, briefly stopping before the Duncan Lake to Bearskin Lake portage to take a quick dip in the water to cool off.

It makes sense to me why Rose Lake is so popular.  You won’t find yourself alone, deep in the wilderness there.  Sure, you’ll be deep in the wilderness, but it’s unlikely you’ll be alone if you head in during the warm summer months.  But, even with at least a couple dozen people likely dotting the shoreline, we found peace and quiet.  It’s definitely worth the trip for anyone looking for a nice, easy day trip into the Boundary Waters.

Boundary Waters for Beginners: A Guide to the Incredible Wilderness

• Julie Singh
• March-27-2023

Beginners Guide to the Incredible Boundary Waters Wilderness

Make just one trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and your life will be changed forever. 

This pristine wilderness extends along 150 miles of the US/Canada border in Northern Minnesota and looks much the same as it did in the early 1900s when preservation efforts began. More than 1,000 lakes and hundreds of miles of rivers and streams make it a one-of-a-kind destination for canoeing , with 20% of the total area made up of water.

With thousands of miles of canoe and portage trails, the BWCA offers an adventure for all.  Whether you desire a challenging trip paddling dozens of lakes and rivers and taking in scenic waterfalls or a peaceful paddle to observe ancient pictographs,  the BWCA has endless options.

In this guide for beginners, we share insight into how to plan a trip to the Boundary Waters as a beginner, the best time to visit Boundary Waters, the best Boundary Waters canoe area routes and entry points, and the ultimate kit list for your trip.

What is the Best Time to Go to the Boundary Waters?

If you’re planning on kayaking the Boundary Waters then it’s important to plan your trip at the right time of year. Traveling the wilderness brings with it a range of risks, and you want to ensure that weather conditions aren’t going to impact the safety or enjoyment of your trip.

Open water season in the Boundary Waters is between May and September. If you want to enter the area between these months you’ll need to make sure you have a permit, as this limits the number of visitors to the area and ensures that the environment isn’t damaged by human interference.

You can visit the BWCA outside of this peak season, but the waterways and lakes will be obstructed by ice and you will be traveling by cross-country ski or snowshoe rather than canoe. You still need a permit to enter in the off-season, you just don’t have to pay for one.

Visiting the Boundary Waters in May means that you’ll be one of the first people back into the area that year, which can be great for snagging a campsite before the summer visitors come, but also means that some portages may be difficult to traverse due to lack of use. In June, tourism starts to pick up in the area, although the water temperature can still be quite cold and mosquitos and black flies begin to gather.

The best time to visit Boundary Waters on a fishing trip is between June and August, as this is when the most fish will be active in the water and you’ll have the most luck at catching a range of species. This is also the warmest time of the year so camping and canoeing are more comfortable, although bugs are particularly common in July.

Many people consider August to be the best time of year for canoeing Boundary Waters as there are very few mosquitos, the weather is warmest and the water is also a great temperature for swimming. The wilderness sees the highest number of families during this month, so if you’re trying to visit when it’s quiet you may want to avoid the peak season.

By the time September comes around, the Boundary Waters becomes much quieter as the temperatures start to go down and Fall starts to draw in. If you’re not too bothered by chilly nights this is a fantastic time to visit.   The remarkable leaf colors and the lack of mosquitos (and crowds) also make it one of our favorite times of year.

What is the Best Canoe for BWCA?

There are a variety of different brands of canoe available for adventurers wanting to explore the Boundary Waters, and the type you choose may depend on whether you’re renting a canoe from an outfitter for your trip or buying one for yourself. So instead of recommending specific brands, here’s what you need to consider when choosing the best canoe.

Firstly, while kayaks are considered to be very good watercrafts in general, canoes are typically a better choice for a Boundary Waters trip. Canoes are more stable and can carry more gear, and lightweight versions make carrying them over portages or removing them from the water much easier.

Some types of canoes are designed specifically for multi-day trips, so you’ll want to opt for one of these if possible when you’re planning your trip. You’ll be carrying your pack and gear in your canoe when you’re paddling the Boundary Waters, so you also need to consider how much storage space is available and whether this will be enough for your equipment.

Most Boundary Waters outfitters have Kevlar canoes in their fleet for BWCA trips.  Kevlar canoes are lightweight and are easy to paddle and carry.  Since a BWCA trip requires both paddling and portaging, Kevlar canoes are a great choice.

If you’re traveling with only one other person, you might decide that a double canoe is the best option so you can share the load of paddling.  Paddling a canoe solo can be a bit more challenging, so splitting a group into pairs is best.  

If you’re a beginner visiting Boundary Waters, it’s a good idea to speak to one of our recommended outfitters to discuss the best type of canoe for your trip.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Permits

Boundary Waters permits are required all year, but there are a few factors that decide which permit you will need and how to get it. 

If you are doing a canoe camping trip during the summer months, you will need an Overnight Paddle permit that allows you to paddle and camp overnight in the BWCA. Get an OP permit for your BWCA trip at Recreation.gov . 

It helps to know where you will be renting a canoe or gear first, so you can choose the outfitter as the issuing station so they can issue the permit when you pick up your gear.  Alternatively, the outfitter can also book the permit for you.

What are the Different Types of Boundary Waters Permits?

Depending on the time of year you visit and the type of trip you’re planning in Boundary Waters, there are several different types of permits on offer.

Between May 1st and September 30th

Overnight paddle (op).

This is the most popular permit (and way to explore) for the Boundary Waters trip.  This is a permit for your typical canoe camping trip in the BWCA.

Day Use Only (no camping)

If you’re visiting BWCA for the day, you just need a Self Issued Permit which is available at the kiosks at the BWCA entry points and from Forest Service offices.

Hiking and Camping Overnight (no paddling)  

If you want to stay in the Boundary Waters overnight, but won’t be paddling around, you need an Overnight Hiking Permit for the location you are entering. There is no limit for the number of nights you can stay in the area once you’ve entered.

After September 30th and before May 1st

In the off-season months between September and May, you only need a Self-Issued Permit to enter the Boundary Waters. These are available from kiosks at BWCA entry points and Forest Service offices. Reservations are not required and there are no recreation fees.

The Best Boundary Waters Entry Points

Boundary Waters entry points are all that stand between you and the chance to explore this phenomenal piece of wilderness. You must have a permit to pass through an entry point, but then once you’re in you can walk and paddle around as freely as you please, staying for any duration you’d like.

Boundary Waters permits need to be reserved in advance and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Different entry points have different numbers of permits available each day, so you need to do your research in advance and ensure that you’ll be able to enter the BWCA when you arrive.

Here are some of the most popular Boundary Waters entry points in each area to inspire you.

#12 – Little Vermilion Lake

#16 – Moose River 

#4 – Crab Lake

#22 – Mudro Lake

#24 – Fall Lake

#25 – Moose Lake

#30 – Lake One

Isabella Area

#34 – Island River

#75 – Little Isabella River

#41 – Brule Lake

Grand Marais Area

#54 – Seagull Lake

#55 – Saganaga Lake

5 of the Best Boundary Waters Routes

As well as choosing an entry point, you also need to plan your route for canoeing Boundary Waters. After deciding how many days you want to explore the area, or whether you’d just like to plan a day trip, take a look at some of the most popular routes below.

Sawbill Lake

If you’ve only got time for a day trip kayaking the Boundary Waters, Sawbill Lake is a great spot to explore. Paddle around the lake or portage to nearby Smoke Lake or Alton Lake and enjoy the rugged scenery in this secluded spot. The route is on the Tofte side of the BWCA, so if you’re renting equipment you’ll need an outfitter on this side of the area.

The Number Chain

This route is one of the best Boundary Waters for beginners options, as it focuses on minimum paddling and maximum enjoyment of the area. You begin at Lake One and then travel to Lake Two, then into Lake Three and then finish at Lake Four, with only a handful of portages and plenty of time to stop and swim or fish. This route starts on the Ely side of the Boundary Waters, so you’ll need to rent equipimtnet from near the town.

Seagull and Saganaga Lake

Right on the border between the USA and Canada in the Grand Marais area of the BWCA, this route lets you loop from Sea Gull Lake, up to Saganaga and then back down to your starting point. It’s a route with a lot of paddling and only a few portages, which is great for a weekend trip. 

Kawishiwi River Triangle

A classic beginner’s route for Boundary Waters canoe trips is the Kawishiwi River Triangle, which has a small number of portages and usually takes about three days to complete. Starting on Farm Lake on the Ely side of the Boundary Waters, you enter the Kawishiwi River and paddle along the south section, around a triangular route to Clear Lake, then connect back to Farm Lake the way you came.

Fall Lake and Basswood Lake Loop

This route will take between three and five days depending on your fitness and experience, and takes you from the edge of Fall Lake, near Ely, around Basswood Lake, right on the edge of the USA/Canada border. You begin and end at entry point #24 ‘Fall Lake’ and is a great ​​Boundary Waters route option if you don’t want to portage too much.

Staying at Boundary Waters Campsites

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offers over 2000 designated campsites across the 1200 miles of canoe routes and 1,100 lakes. When you’re planning how to camp in the Boundary Waters, the first thing to note is that these campsites are all backcountry first-come, first-served sites, and are not reserve-able. 

While canoe camping in the BWCA, you must camp in these designated campsites. You can see the locations of each of these campsites on an official BWCA map .

All of the designated campsites in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area have a wilderness latrine (an open-pit toilet). The sites closest to the entry points into the BWCA can be busy, and the farther into the wilderness you paddle, the more solitude you will find.

If you are visiting the BWCA during the summer or holiday weekends, we suggest that you arrive at your campsite early in the day in order to secure a spot.  

Boundary Waters Canoe Area campsites do have an unofficial rating system which ranks the sites between 1 – 5 stars. Check out BWCA.com for Boundary Waters Canoe Area campsite maps and campsite reviews and ratings.

A Boundary Waters Gear List

As the name explains, Boundary Waters is a Wilderness area, which means that there are very limited facilities for humans. Campsites are equipped with a fire grate and a latrine, but when it comes to what to bring to the Boundary Waters, you’ll need to pack everything else for yourself.

Packing as light as possible is definitely recommended, as you’ll have to carry all of your gear when you’re portaging. Some outfitters will be able to offer you pre-packed equipment kits, but the following list includes everything you need if you decide to bring all of your own items.

• A sleeping bag
• A sleeping mat
• A camp stove and fuel
• Cooking utensils
• Eating utensils
• A water bottle
• A water filter system
• Bear proof food storage system or food hanging system
• Garbage bags for waste
• A pocket knife or multi-tool
• A flashlight
• A navigation compass
• Toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer 
• A first aid kit
• Personal hygiene products
• Weather appropriate clothing
• A rain jacket
• Wet shoes for canoeing
• Dry shoes for camping
• A sun hat or bandana

As well as the above items, you will obviously also need a canoe, paddles and a life jacket.

A space as vast as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness can be daunting to travelers that have never explored it before. But the great news is that this beautiful part of the world is the ideal place to plan an outdoor adventure even if you are a beginner, with plenty of help and advice available from outfitters and regular visitors to the area.

If you’re thinking about a trip to the Boundary Waters, Trip Outside can help you find your ideal route with outfitters based in Ely and on the Superior shore in Tofte , and provide complete outfitting for your BWCA adventure.

Find more adventures in the state of Minnesota like kayaking the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. For more inspiration on Minnesota adventures, check out local adventurers like Look About Lindsey.

SAVE THE BOUNDARY WATERS

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is threatened by sulfide-ore copper mining.  The  Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters  is leading the effort to ensure permanent protection for the Boundary Waters Wilderness, America’s most visited Wilderness and Minnesota’s crown jewel, from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining.

What would a Twin Metals mine on the edge of the Boundary Waters mean? Pollution. Not this mine. Not this place. #SavetheBWCA

Find out more  about how you can help Save the BWCA!

No matter where you camp and canoe, make sure you follow Leave No Trace principles , and recreate responsibly outdoors to ensure our wilderness areas stay pristine for generations to come.

Meet Julie & Reet

We’re Julie & Reet, the outdoor adventurers behind TripOutside. We love human-powered outdoor adventures and have traveled to hundreds of destinations that you see on TripOutside. Read more..

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EASY: Isabella Lake

MODERATE: Otter Track Lake

DIFFICULT: Louse River/Frost River Loop 

EASY: Isabella Lake 1 day, 2 to 5 miles Just a single 70-rod portage (one rod equals 16 feet, or about the length of a canoe) gets you from the trailhead into this perfectly round lake ringed by evergreens. Island campsites make ideal lunch spots, and frequent wind keeps the bugs at bay. Sandy beaches all around the lake make for good swimming, too. Troll lures along the rocky shoals of the islands at the far north end for pike during the day and walleyes when the sun gets low. Extend your trip with a three-mile paddle up the Perent River, which is a moose haunt with old-growth timber. Isabella Lake is also an easy first trip for families with young children–you can be swimming with your kids within an hour of launching. Info Kawishiwi Ranger District: (218) 365-7600; fs.fed.us/r9/forests/superior Outfitter Piragis Northwoods Outfitters: (800) 223-6565; piragis.com

MODERATE: Otter Track Lake 3 days, 20 miles The put-in for this long weekend, Saganaga Lake, is a 14,000-acre behemoth notorious for high winds and white caps. Take an outfitter’s shuttle across the lake (motorized boats are allowed in this area) if you don’t want to risk paddling into the blow, and be sure to make a reservation for a return shuttle. Then, after a paddle down Sag’s western arm and a few short portages, you’ll launch your canoe onto Otter Track. This is a popular destination (its waters glow a Caribbean turquoise on sunny days), so shoot to get here by early afternoon to pitch your tent on the one American campsite in the lower basin (the other site, in Canada, requires a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit). Or paddle another four miles to a cluster of sites in the upper basin at the far west end. In the upper basin, you’ll paddle through a canyon of forest and high cliffs, where murals of lichens decorate the light granite rock faces. Bonus: Just inside the channel to the upper basin, visit the old homestead of Benny Ambrose, one of the last hermits to live in the Boundary Waters. Info Gunflint Ranger District: (218) 387-1750; fs.fed.us/r9/forests/superior Outfitter Voyageur Canoe Outfitters: (888) 226-6348; canoeit.com

DIFFICULT: Louse River/ Frost River Loop 5 days, 50 miles It’s as good as guaranteed you won’t see many other paddlers here. Your entry fee: a series of rugged portages that keeps the crowds at bay. Buck up, and you’ll have moose sightings and luxurious campsites all to yourself. From Sawbill Lake, at the end of the Sawbill Trail Road near the town of Tofte, paddle four miles to the 480-rod (1.5-mile) Lujenida-to-Zenith portage. Find a poacher’s wrecked plane 40 feet into the woods on Zenith Lake’s north shore. From Zenith, head west to access the Louse River and a rapid-fire stretch of portages (nine within five miles). From the river’s end, you’ll paddle lakes with outstanding fishing–Trail, Boze, and Malberg. At Malberg, head north across seven tiny lakes (and eight portages) to Little Saganaga, a quiet lake with a plethora of campsites. Next, paddle east to Frost River. Keep an eye out for moose here as you float and portage to Frost Lake (find beach camping on the west shore). To end the trip, paddle south to link Cherokee Lake, Ada Lake, and Ada Creek back to Sawbill. Target May and June for higher river levels. Info Tofte Ranger District: (218) 663-8060; fs.fed.us/r9/forests/superior Outfitter Sawbill Canoe Outfitters: (218) 663-7150; sawbill.com

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BWCA in a Day – Canoe & Kayak Day Trips

Although it’s just the tip of the iceberg as to what the epic BWCAW has to offer, you can at least say “been there, done that!” With so much to see and do along the Gunflint Trail and in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, it can be a challenge to decide where to start. Whether you are staying with us or coming up from Grand Marais for the day, Clearwater Canoe Outfitters can help you enjoy a day on the water.

SCHEDULE & BOOK YOUR CANOE OR KAYAK RENTALS!

We have compiled a few of our favorite self-guided day trips and listed them below in order of length and difficulty, with the easier trips at the top. We can outfit you with everything you need. Give us a call or drop-in and we’ll get you set-up. You can also book your rentals online – links at top and bottom of this page. Let us know your day trip plans when you arrive and our outfitting team will assist and direct you to your destination.

Clearwater Palisades

Standing at the edge of Clearwater Lake in front of our historic lodge looking east, two 400 foot towering basalt cliffs dominate the scene.  A short 20 minute paddle will find you at the base of the first cliff, and at the trail that leads to the top.  The trail does ascend steeply right away but then levels out for a more gradual climb and takes most people about 15 to 20 minutes.  The views into Canada and back towards the lodge are worth every step.  The top of the palisades is one of the first places to find blueberries in the summer. This day trip averages 2 hours to complete and can utilize canoe or kayak..

Mountain Lake Overlook

This trip also starts from our waterfront and heads 4 miles down beautiful Clearwater Lake before turning north and landing the canoe at the portage to Mountain Lake.  After leaving the canoe and hiking half way across the portage you will turn left on the Border Route Trail and hike another 3/4 of a mile.  The trail climbs and drops a couple of times before climbing steeply up to the vista.  The massive view down Mountain Lake and Canada is second to none. This trip averages 4 to 5 hours to complete and can utilize canoe or kayak.

Rose Falls & Stairway Portage

After a short shuttle for your party and your rental canoe(s) to West Bearskin Lake (east entry) your adventure begins. From the east end of West Bearskin paddle the 2 mile length of the lake and look for the portage into Duncan Lake.  The 75 rod (.25 miles) portage is well traveled, easy to find and relatively flat.  On the other side, your route will turn you north for another mile paddle to the Stairway Portage.  You can leave your canoe at the landing and walk to the falls from there.  A short steep climb up the Border Route Trail to the east above the falls leads to incredible views of untouched wilderness and Canada beyond. This trip averages 5 to 6 hours to complete and is for canoes only.

*Be sure to book your shuttle for this trip as well – details at bottom of this page

Johnson Falls

The trip to Johnson Falls is for those who want to spend the day paddling and portaging to a remote set of waterfalls. This is a 10 mile roundtrip with a total of 6 portages (3 each way) and a 1/4 mile hike to the falls. Starting from our dock at Clearwater Lodge you will paddle a mile and take a 2/3 mile portage to Caribou Lake. After the 3 mile paddle down Caribou you will make a short portage to Little Caribou Lake and then another 1/4 mile portage to Pine Lake. On the far west end of Pine Lake you will find the trail that leads up to the falls. This is a full day trip, but the two tiered falls which are perfect for swimming and relaxing are definitely worth the work. This trip averages 6 to 8 hours to complete and is for canoes only.

These self-guided day trips are easy to schedule. Determine how many and what type of canoe(s) or kayak(s) you need and either call us or reserve your watercraft online by clicking the link.  Aluminum Canoes are great for beginners and those not planning to portage (Palisades and Mountain Lake Trips). Kevlar are recommended for the Rose And Johnson Falls trips due to the portages (wet entry and exit required for kevlar canoe rentals – See explanation on booking page). Let us know your day trip plans when you arrive and our outfitting team will assist and direct you to your destination.

Trips to Rose Falls will require a shuttle to and from the launch at West Bearskin Lake ($30 Round-trip) so be sure to reserve that as well with your canoe reservation if you are planning that trip to ensure you are on the schedule. Alternatively you can also let us know when you arrive as we are usually able to accommodate these shuttles with shorter notice, but cannot guarantee. Click the SHUTTLES menu on the left side of the booking screen after you reserve your canoes (this shuttle is at the top of the shuttle booking selections and called Rose Falls Day-Trip Shuttle ), or just click this link.

© 2024 · Clearwater Historic Lodge · Website by Altitude Marketing and Design

Day trip: A farm-inspired brunch in Stuart. A Tuscan wine shop in Hobe Sound.

When I lived in Miami, I’d drive to the upper Keys sometimes for lunch. My parents and I loved to do this, spur of the moment, drawn by the promise of fresh fish and key lime pie. For me, it was about the drive, particularly the stretch of road that ran between the ocean and the bay. That first sight of water was a much-needed segue into a more relaxed dimension.

I always remember this when I drive north on U.S. Highway 1, past Tequesta and toward Hobe Sound. The segue to chill is not a water view but the blur of preserve land that’s part of Jonathan Dickinson State Park. For a few soothing miles, there are no strip plazas or other signs of big-city life. By the time you’ve reached the first glimmers of Hobe Sound, you’ve shifted into island mode. For me, this alone is worth a day trip. 

On a recent Saturday, I took such a trip. Here are my three favorite experiences from my Palm Beach Gardens to Stuart drive.

Bridge Road: the ‘establishing shot’

Driving north on U.S. 1/Federal Highway, I wanted to double-down on the island feel. So I made a right turn on Bridge Road and took the scenic drive that is always my Hobe Sound establishing shot. In filmmaker terms, it means the shot that captures your setting and sometimes mood. Southeast Bridge Road always does just that.

Drive slowly beneath the canopy of intertwined banyan tree branches, and you’ve reached the enchanted-forest part of your day trip. Cross the Bridge Road Bridge and you’ll find another tree-lined stretch before you reach Hobe Sound Martin County Beach Park, where you can park and access the public beach. Even if you haven’t planned a beach day, you can soak up the salt air, the sun and surf. 

On this recent day trip, we only paused at the beach for a look-and-see. We had brunch plans in Stuart.

Brunch at the Colab Kitchen

You can only follow a cool spot on Instagram for so long before the food photos and funky al fresco views beckon you to visit. Stuart’s Colab Kitchen restaurant and market has been calling my name for a while now. And when I heard the farm-inspired restaurant and market had a new brunch menu, I headed north.

When I got there, I realized Colab Kitchen’s concept goes beyond the farm inspiration. It is as “farm-to-table” as you get. As you step into the spacious and modern building in downtown Stuart, you’re greeted by a kind of farmers market. You can buy freshly harvested greens from Indiantown’s Colab Farms, produce, farm eggs, fresh bread, bakery items, prepared sauces, natural toiletries and other items.

The main dining room and bar area follows in a sweep of clean lines and modern lighting over more rustic wood floors. It’s a welcoming space, both in decor and hospitality. Even though we arrived less than an hour before the end of brunch, we were greeted warmly and led to a sunny indoor table that offered terrific views of Colab Kitchen’s large dining patio and sprawling lawn.

The brunch menu proved to be a problem, but only because I wanted to order everything on it. It’s one of those rare menus on which the “healthy” items — the salads and bowls — are as tempting as the comfort-food items, such as the smoked brisket hash with poached eggs, sweet potato, onions and sourdough toast ($19), the lemon-ricotta pancakes ($17) and the egg-topped tomato pie ($19). 

I ordered a small-plates type of brunch because I couldn’t decide on one big dish. It offered me a good introduction to Colab Kitchen’s talents.

We started with house-made sourdough bread ($14), a deliciously crusty half-loaf served on a wood board with salt-sprinkled cultured butter, roasted garlic and a good dollop of the best pimento cheese I’ve had in a while.

Our deviled eggs appetizer ($9) was almost too lovely to eat: Four boiled egg halves, topped with a tall swirl of deviled filling and crowned with a bit of tomato jam and pickled mustard seed, were served atop a mix of farm greens. 

I had to have some crispy, thick-cut bacon on the side ($5), and it did not disappoint. Ditto for the loaded hash browns side dish ($8), a perfectly crispy smash topped with melting cheeses and snipped chives — put an egg on top and you’ve got a yummy entree. 

We got a sweet kick from one of the daily dessert specials, a warm peach bread pudding topped with caramel and vanilla ice cream ($12). 

As much as I wanted to try the lemon-ricotta pancakes, I had to leave those for the next time. (Because I’m hoping there will be a next time!)

Colab Kitchen: 100 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Stuart, 772-872-6243, ColabKitchenFl.com

A Tuscan wine shop visit

Heading back south, I made an obligatory stop at my favorite area wine shop, Casa del Vino. This cozy shop is where proprietors Silvia and Franco Mininni have welcomed wine lovers, wine novices and the community at large since opening seven years ago. 

They furnished the place with decorative touches from their native Tuscany, a few comfy chairs and a long wooden table they hand-built and covered with a tapestry of wine crates. Inspired by the eclectic variety of wine crates they had amassed during years of working with Italian wineries, they built the table inside their warehouse a good two years before opening the shop. 

“There was no particular reason why we built it, but we thought that maybe one day we would know why,” says Silvia. “Two years later, we opened this place, and this table is now a major part of it.”

It didn’t take long for her to realize the why of the table. It brought together a new wine-appreciating community, sparked conversation and new friendships over generous pours of wine and cheese and salumi boards topped with cured meats and cheeses imported from Italy.

Now Silvia and Franco have given their shop a new focus. While they continue to sell imported wine and goods at Casa del Vino, they are serving multi-course dinners just about every night. The dinners, intimate affairs that tend to sell out quickly, are offered at the wine-crate table.

During my recent visit to the shop, Silvia told me she and Franco plan to expand into the space next door in the plaza. The new space will be for wine tastings, classes and other events, she said.

I could not leave without buying some of my Casa del Vino Italian favorites: pecorino studded with pistachios, mortadella from Bologna, Italian crackers, a bottle of Ad Astra Super Tuscan, a sippable pinot bianco from Trentino and a fiano wine from Campania.

Back home later, I thought about my day’s adventures — and of the Italy I’ve found in Hobe Sound — as I enjoyed bites of the pecorino and mortadella.

Casa del Vino: 11330 SE U.S. Hwy 1, Hobe Sound, 772-675-2228, on Instagram @casadelvinolifestyle

Read recent columns by Liz Balmaseda

◾ A fresh batch of places to eat and locally made treats

◾ New West Palm steakhouse restaurant kicks off Sunday brunch

◾ A favorite seafood restaurant gets a glow-up in the Gardens

◾ New oceanfront bar opens, 2 others named ‘best’ in The South

◾ 3 new pizzerias to put on your radar

◾ Where to find the best meatballs in town? Some favorites!

Liz Balmaseda is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for  The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA Today Network. She covers the local food and dining beat. Follow her on  Instagram and  Post on Food Facebook . She can be reached by email at  [email protected] . 

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The 7 best 3-day cruise itineraries for 2024.

Plan a long weekend getaway aboard a cruise for fun, scenery and entertainment.

The Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Hop aboard the Carnival Radiance for a short but fun-filled cruise weekend.

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.

If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from, and everything you can see and do over the span of three incredible nights.

3-Day Cruises From Florida

Norwegian sky from miami.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Dates: Aug. 2 to 5, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Stops: Key West, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $399 per person

This three-night cruise on Norwegian Sky departs from Miami in August 2024 with stops at two iconic tropical destinations. The vessel's first stop is Key West , where cruise passengers will have the day to visit the southernmost tip of the United States, book a snorkeling or kayaking tour, or bar hop along the world-famous Duval Street. From there, the cruise stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is a private island paradise that's only for cruise passengers. Here, visitors can enjoy some beach time, plan a WaveRunner adventure or snorkel the clear waters to watch out for wildlife.

When not at port, passengers on Norwegian Sky can enjoy the ship's 10 dining options, onboard spa, casino at sea, and variety of pools and hot tubs. The Norwegian Cruise Line vessel even has a sushi bar and a Starbucks onboard, and it was completely renovated from top to bottom in 2019.

Book a Norwegian cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral

Conrad Schutt | Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Multiple dates in November and December 2024

Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando)

Stops: Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Starting price: $169 per person

This three-night cruise on MSC Seashore departs from Port Canaveral near Orlando and takes passengers to two tropical destinations in the nearby Bahamas . The first is the island of Nassau, which is known for its luxury resorts (including the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas), huge casinos and powder white sands. After that, guests can spend a second day at port at MSC Cruises ' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This island offers a perfect beach retreat for people who just want to relax, including several expansive white sand beaches with ample seating, an interior ocean lagoon for swimming, and beach bars and eateries dotted throughout.

MSC Seashore features huge pools, an onboard water park for kids, the expansive MSC Aurea Spa and 11 distinct dining venues for passengers to choose from. The ship also boasts the exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club area, which offers the best of everything for discerning guests.

Find an MSC Cruises deal on GoToSea.

Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Dates: Ongoing in 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Stops: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas

Starting price: $273 per person

This three-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Reflection departs from Fort Lauderdale and leaves for two days in the sunny Bahamas. The first stop gives guests a full day to enjoy at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a cruise line private island that's typically reserved for Royal Caribbean guests. This island paradise features an exclusive beach club, idyllic white sand beaches for swimming and floating, a water park, a zip line, and plenty of places to eat and drink all day. The next stop is Nassau: Visitors can dine and shop their way through the port area or book a fun day pass to the Baha Bay water park, which is located at resort Baha Mar and features waterslides, an expansive lazy river and incredible cuisine options right at the park.

Celebrity Reflection was recently refurbished in 2022. It features an incredible array of included dining options, eight specialty and exclusive dining establishments, and bars and lounges throughout the ship. The Retreat, a VIP ship-within-a-ship concept, is also offered on board for those who want an elevated cruising experience.

Explore Celebrity Cruises on GoToSea.

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Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Dates: Nov. 6 to 9, 2024

Stops: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $1,973 per stateroom

This three-night Bahamian cruise on Disney Dream stops at two exclusive destinations in the Bahamas – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, then Disney Castaway Cay. The first stop offers incredible beaches with play areas and crystal-clear water for swimming, as well as the Bahamian Arts and Culture Pavilion for families who want to learn something about the local culture on vacation. At Disney Castaway Cay, families can relax the day away on white sand beaches, go biking or kayaking, ride two waterslides, and more. Both destinations even have adults-only beach areas for cruisers who are traveling kid-free.

Disney Dream holds a maximum of 4,000 passengers and has everything you would expect on an exclusive Disney Cruise Line vessel, including kids and family areas, adults-only dining options and pools, and two large theaters. The ship also has several supervised kids clubs as well as dedicated clubs for teenagers and tweens .

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Stops: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Starting price: $263 per person

Royal Caribbean International also boasts a Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Nassau and at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Nassau, cruisers get the chance to explore one of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, where you can book an excursion to a local beach, plan a snorkeling adventure or play in one of the two biggest casinos throughout the region at Atlantis or Baha Mar. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, families can stay active with waterslides, book a kayaking tour or ride a hot air balloon up to 450 feet in the air.

Liberty of the Seas is also an ideal ship for families thanks to fun features like a huge onboard water park with slides, an ice skating rink with shows and the Broadway at Sea theater. The Royal Caribbean vessel also has nearly a dozen different dining venues, including Cupcake Cupboard, Johnny Rockets, a pizza kitchen and an old-world Italian eatery called Giovanni's Table.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

3-Day Cruises From California

Navigator of the seas from los angeles.

Dates: Throughout 2024

Departure port: Los Angeles

Stops: Ensenada, Mexico

Starting price: $282 per person

Royal Caribbean offers a three-night West Coast adventure on Navigator of the Seas that includes a fun day at sea and a full-day stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This Mexican destination is known for the many activities that can be enjoyed along its rugged shores, which can include leisurely days at nearby Estero and Mona Lisa beaches, hiking experiences, exploration of Baja California's wine region, whale watching and more.

Dates for this sailing are offered throughout 2024, and the ship itself has plenty to keep passengers enthralled while at sea. For example, Navigator of the Seas features the longest waterslide at sea, enlarged pool deck areas for relaxation, ice skating shows and shopping – not to mention Broadway-style shows with dancers, acrobats and singers. There are also 12 unique dining options onboard, including Starbucks, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Johnny Rockets.

Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles

Dates: Jan. 26 to 29 and Sept. 24 to 27, 2024

Departure port: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Starting price: $244 per person

Carnival Radiance also embarks on three-night journeys to Mexico from Los Angeles throughout the year, including in January and September 2024. This Carnival Cruise Line itinerary includes a fun day at sea and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can plan a sightseeing trip, nosh on the unique Baja cuisine the area is known for, shop for silver jewelry and other keepsakes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Carnival Radiance itself serves as the perfect floating vessel for this fun weekend vacation, with onboard amenities that span the Cloud 9 Spa and WaterWorks water park with slides to a comedy club and special clubs for kids and teens. The ship also boasts an adults-only solarium and 10 different bars to choose from.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Packing List
• Beach Packing List
• Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line
• First-Time Cruise Tips
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Tags: Travel , Cruises

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Joel Embiid Receives Flagrant Foul After Dangerous Play on Knicks' Mitchell Robinson

The 76ers star got hit with a Flagrant 1 after grabbing Mitchell Robinson's leg.

• Author: Liam McKeone

While much of the sports world was focused on the 2024 NFL draft, the Philadelphia 76ers tipped off their Game 3 matchup against the New York Knicks. It's been a very physical series to this point and it didn't take long for things to escalate on Thursday night, as 76ers superstar Joel Embiid received a flagrant foul in the first quarter.

Embiid went up to block a Knicks shot in the paint and ended up on his back. OG Anunoby came down with the rebound and dished it to center Mitchell Robinson. Robinson went up for the easy layup but Embiid decided to grab Robinson's legs and yank them out from under him. It was a really dangerous sequence and deserving of a flagrant foul.

Joel Embiid received a Flagrant 1 after this foul on Mitchell Robinson 😳 pic.twitter.com/2ygeQh8gMG — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 26, 2024

This came merely minutes after officials were forced to review an Embiid play for a possible hostile act after the big man appeared to knee Isaiah Hartenstein below the belt.

Isaiah Hartenstein was in pain after this offensive foul by Joel Embiid (via @KnicksClipss ) pic.twitter.com/pziNshaBJd — Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 26, 2024

Playoff basketball is significantly more physical than any regular season play but it's hard to understand what Embiid's intentions were here. Undercutting an NBA player in the air is always a no-no and you never see a player laying on the ground reach up and grab someone else's leg. Everyone is fortunate disaster was avoided.

Despite Robinson missing both flagrant free throws, the Knicks led the 76ers, 29-27, after the first quarter.

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